Monday, June 27, 2016

Celebrate Canada Week with Ann Lethbridge

July 1 is Canada Day! I invited Canadian author Ann Lethbridge to kick off our week long celebration. From her bio,An army brat born in England and now living in Canada, Ann grew up loving history, but majored in business, with history on the side. She has a husband and two lovely daughters and a Maltese Terrier called Teaser, who likes to sit on a chair beside the computer while she works.

Her love of the past and the stories in her imagination led her to write her first novel in 2000, a never-see-the-light-of-day-effort, and after having her first book published in 2006, she knew she'd found her niche.

She loves the Georgian era, and within that, the period known as the long Regency. She also adores happy endings.

Kim: What is your favorite sight, sound, and smell of your part of Canada?Ann: My favourite part of Canada are the nearby lakes in summer. There is always a lovely breeze which seems to carry its own special scent. I like to write to the sound of the water lapping against the shore and the birds chirping in the trees. I especially love to see the osprey who nest all around the lake carrying their fishy catch home to their young. We see all sorts of wild life around the lakes. One just has to sit still and a kingfisher will flash by. Or a humming bird will hover among the leaves of a nearby tree. Can you tell--I prefer the country to the town?Kim: Can you share a unique Canadian saying or slang that resonates with you?Ann: If someone asks you if you have seen their toque, (sounds like toook), do you know what to look for? It's a woolly hat worn in winter to keep the ears warm. There is nothing different or special about them apart from the name. Also you will find the extra letter u showing up in odd places like favourite and neighbour. We hate to see a good letter go to waste so stick it here and there wherever it will fit. Kim: What would you recommend a reader to see, eat, or drink to enhance their travel experience to Canada?Ann: Canada being such a large country, it would depend on where you are, but around where I live I would have to recommend Niagara Falls and the surrounding wine country. Not only are the Falls an impressive wonder of nature but the gardens and parks around them and along the Niagara Parkway are quite lovely and not too commercialized. A trip on the 19th century Spanish Cable Car over the Niagara Gorge whirlpool is quite the adventure for those who don't mind heights. These are all summertime things to do as this is my favourite time of year though seeing trees covered in ice formed by the spray from the nearby Falls is also a remarkable sight. It always reminds me of an ice palace n a fairy story.

Former captain Bladen Read knows respectable Caroline Falkner would never look twice at an illegitimate ruffian like him. But when he's suddenly thrown into the role of her protector he discovers the undercurrent of tension runs both ways…

At first Caro tries to resist the pull of attraction, for Blade is a link to the scandalous past she buried long ago to protect her son. Although when the opportunity to explore this rake's expertise in the bedroom presents itself, temptation proves too much to resist!

Learn more about Ann and her books at annlethbridge.com. I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about Niagara Falls - have you visited this famous honeymoon destination?

No, I've never visited the falls. Funny that. They have never been one of my vacation destinations either. Being from Detroit, I've spent plenty of time in Windsor and the surrounding area. I did spend some time in the beautiful city of Toronto. But that's my extent of Canadian exploration.

We went by for a quick visit when I was on a college Science Club trip. That was about 50 years ago. We would like to go and visit on our own. I want to see it from the Canadian side which I hear is nicer.